![Over $1 billion of cocaine seized in Philadelphia. [Image Source/Associated Press YouTube video]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/6/19/660x290/b_502x220x82/over-1-billion-of-cocaine-seized-in-philadelphia-image-sourceassociated-press-youtube-video_2281799.jpg "Over $1 billion of cocaine seized in Philadelphia. [Image Source/Associated Press YouTube video]")
Federal authorities have seized 16.5 tons of cocaine in Philadelphia. It is the largest haul of the contraband in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest ever in America. The street value of the seizure would be in excess of $1billion. Earlier, in 1989, authorities seized 21 tons of cocaine from a warehouse in California. In the present case, there were some arrests made and an investigation launched. The drugs were in shipping containers and came into view when agents opened them. Drug smugglers dream up new methods to transport the contraband and use land, air, and sea routes.
They even use tunnels under the border wall with Mexico. In the opinion of U.S. Attorney William McSwain, “This amount of cocaine could kill millions – MILLIONS – of people.”
Daily Mail UK reports that the ship was going to Europe and it is not known whether the lot was meant for the United States or Europe. Law enforcement agencies are always on the alert and geared up to intercept the movement of such items because they are a major threat to humanity. William McSwain has thanked all members of federal, state, and local partners for their assistance in the investigation.
Police seize $1 billion of Cocaine in Philadelphia in one of the largest drug busts in history
— Steve Jobs (@tesla_truth) June 19, 2019
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Smuggling of cocaine into America
The drug seizure in Philadelphia is yet another case along the East Coast.
In the month of March, police dogs who specialize in drugs sniffed out more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine. It was in the heart of the city and was valued at about $38 million. At the time, that was labeled as the largest seizure of cocaine in more than two decades. In February, there was more seizure by customs agents at the Port of New York and New Jersey.
Those in the know feel the boom noticed in the trafficking of cocaine from Colombia is probably a result of excess supply.
More than 16 tons of cocaine were intercepted at a Philadelphia port, worth over $1 billion, after already seizing $115 million of drugs in just the last few months. https://t.co/dsOPo99I6U
— Wolfgang St. James (@wolfgang_sj) June 19, 2019
Daily Mail UK adds that cocaine is harmful and when combined with the powerful opioid fentanyl, transforms into a dangerous substance.
Under the influence of drugs, people commit crimes. These can be violent ones involving deaths. Philadelphia is an example. An analysis of all cocaine-related overdose deaths in 2017 revealed the presence of fentanyl in a third of the cases. It was a matter of concern because the figure was high when compared to that of the previous year. This is based on information through official sources.
The menace of drugs
According to the Guardian, the huge haul of cocaine from a ship at a Philadelphia port is an eye-opener. Those who are involved in drug trafficking have huge networks and the agencies who intercept the consignments deserve praise. Especially when the contraband is in several 16.5 tons.
The ship was flying the flag of Liberia and the suspicion fell on the crew who have been arrested. They will face federal charges. President Donald Trump knows the dangers of drugs and part of his motivation to build the Mexico Border Wall is to check drug smuggling through that border.
